Good day at the range!

[Mike38]

Apologies in advance for boasting….

Went to the range today to test some new loads for my Handi .223 heavy barrel.

I actually shot a 5 round group that measures 0.515 inches at 100 yards. I didn’t know I or the rifle had it in us!

Load data…. 52 grain Hornady A-Max pills. Remington 7 ½ bench rest primers. Winchester brass. 22.5 grains of IMR3031 powder. Weigh sorted the brass, and the bullets to get with in 0.1 grains differential. Individually weighed each powder charge. Very time consuming, but I guess it was worth it.

Would have been an all touching group, but the loose nut squeezing the trigger needs to get his act together, I pulled one round out of the ragged hole.

I also shot a 2.5 inch, 100 round group at 75 yards with a Ruger 10/22. Only mod is a Volquartsen hammer. Used cheap bulk Federal ammo to boot.

All in all, it was a good day at the range!

Anyhow, thought you’d enjoy reading this. Have a good one.

[carbineman]

Good Shooting Mike!

[Slowhanddd]

Good shooting.Didn't know there was ever a bad day at the range shooting.

[gcrank1]

Way to go, Mike!
Dont you have a good powder measure that throws repeatable charges?
FWIW, with biggish charges the slight weight variation per charge isnt likely to make any difference anyway.
I have 4 different measures, if I throw 10 and weigh to 10X my desired weight and adjust to spot on the scale they each are accurate and repeatable.
Same if I set and throw one and weigh, it wont vary but a lines breath on the scale, if at all. Ive made charts with measure settings for different powders and can set quickly and easily, verify the weight and go. Note: always verify a setting. Been doing it like this for over 30 years.

[Mike38]

Dont you have a good powder measure that throws repeatable charge?

I’ve got the el-cheap-o Lee powder charger that came with the kit. It does alright with ball or flaked powder, but 3031 is a long cut extruded powder and it doesn’t do well with that. I guess it will get with in + or - 0.1 grains, which is probably close enough. But I wanted to get the most out of this load and this rifle. I think I’m on the right track with these bullets. I also use Hornady A-Max bullets 162 grain in my 7mmSTW bolt action. Someone on a different gun forum suggested these for both .223 and 7mm. He described them as “jaw dropping accuracy” and he was right. 0.515 for the .223 and just over 0.60 in the 7mm.

A guy next to me asked me about my Handi after seeing that group. He about flipped when I told him that I only have $400.00 total in the rifle. I bought it back when you could get a Handi Rifle for something like $210. I have a $90 WalMart scope on it, and a $100 target stock. Lots of fun for little money. Shoots better then my $3300.00 Remington 700.

[gcrank1]

You have a nice benchmark for the package, maybe try throwing charges and see what you get.
FWIW, two of my measures are Redding, and I couldnt be happier with them. I had the first since about the beginning, then bought the second at a gun show for about $25 ( ). No. 3 is an old Herters, futzy to set, but consistent once there. I like to have my powders set to go in their own measure.
I used to use rod powders but havent in years. Sure cant argue with your shooting though, keep it up!
Oh, and No.4 was an indulgence, a Belding & Mull, very expensive and very accurate, especially for black powder, and would probably work well for rod powder too. Its an old traditional design well suited to my BP match rifles.

[Spanky]

Shoots better then my $3300.00 Remington 700.

Oh boy, that statement oughta get some guys goin'



Spanky

[Jason F]

I am glad I don't have a seperate powder measure for each powder I would have to sell my guns to pay for them

[cwlongshot]

Apologies in advance for boasting….

Went to the range today to test some new loads for my Handi .223 heavy barrel.

I actually shot a 5 round group that measures 0.515 inches at 100 yards. I didn't know I or the rifle had it in us!

No boasting on the Internet... since when???  LOL That's what we are here for! We ALL like to boast when we get a shooter!!  Don't worry one second about it!!   Congratulations on having a shooter!!

I for one LOVE to read these type of posts, keep them coming and next time post some pics too!! 

CW

[gcrank1]

I dont mind taking joy in the success of others  .

[tykempster]

That's what you get when you spend $3300 on a 700

[mechanic]

That's what you get when you spend $3300 on a 700

For that money, it should go to the range and shoot itself....................

[Mike38]

That's what you get when you spend $3300 on a 700

For that money, it should go to the range and shoot itself....................

I know. Kind of a funny deal. Back many years ago I worked at a place for a short time. They had a profit sharing plan and I had completely forgotten about. It had $5K in it. The place closed it’s doors and the investor they used distributed it’s accounts. So I had this check for $4K after taxes. I decided to buy a custom made rifle with the cash. Ordered a Remington 700AWR in 7mmSTW made by the Remington custom shop. Around 0.6 to 0.7 MOA is good for just about any use. But I find it curious that a $400 rifle shoots better then a $3300 rifle. Not that I dislike the Remington, I love the thing. But I’m beginning to grow fond of the little NEF.

[cwlongshot]

I have three custom rifles that I have invested over 2K each. I won't go so far as to say I prefer the handis to them...... But the handis are what comes outta the safe every deer season. 

I have hunted with all of them and enjoy the figured wood, slick actions and fine accuracy. I "christened" each of the properly. They are not relegated safe queens. But its been a while since they got farther then the family room. 

CW

[drbooth]

Apologies in advance for boasting….

Not boasting, sharing. We all love stories like this.